Jonathan B. Cole

JONATHAN B. COLE

Jonathan B. Cole has been a member of Nemecek & Cole since its formation in 1984 and is the managing partner of the firm.

Jon is one of the preeminent professional liability defense attorneys in the State of California, having experience in complex litigation since 1977. His clients include some of the most prestigious and established law firms, attorneys, insurance companies and businesses in Los Angeles County and the nation. Jon has handled more than 100 appeals and writs in California and, in 2005, argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of his former client and long-time acquaintance, the late Johnnie Cochran, in a high profile First Amendment rights case that was the subject of much print media and public interest.

Jon has transformed Nemecek & Cole from a two attorney boutique to an over twenty attorney law firm that is recognized as one of Southern California's preeminent professional liability and business litigation defense firms handling litigation statewide from its Sherman Oaks office. As a result of Jon's efforts, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal has consistently ranked Nemecek & Cole among the top 25 largest law firms in the San Fernando Valley.

Jon is a Certified Specialist, Legal Malpractice Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

ADMISSIONSCalifornia State Bar, United States District Court for the Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of California, United States District Court - Colorado, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States Supreme Court.

PERSONAL BACKGROUNDJon is married with three children. He is an avid water ski racer and mountain biker. Jon is a seven time National Water Ski Racing champion; 1996 Catalina Water Ski Race record holder for men over 45; Australia Bridge to Bridge water ski race record holder for men over 50.

"Three's a Crowd" by Jonathan B. Cole and David B. Owen, California Law Business, September 20, 1999 (In California, no bright-line rule can be articulated when third parties assert that an attorney has a duty of care to them. It is imperative that potential third parties be advised to seek independent counsel)

"Fine Line" by Jonathan B. Cole and Jon D. Robinson, California Law Business, October 18, 1999 (Courts have recognized a tension between the ethical duty of zealous representation and the obligation to pursue lawsuits only where probable cause exists)

"Human Error" by Jonathan B. Cole and Karen K. Coffin, California Law Business, November 15, 1999 (There are remedies for the sender when confidential information is accidentally disclosed to the opposing party)

"Risk Avoidance" by Jonathan B. Cole and David B. Owen, California Law Business, December 20, 1999 (Clear and concise retainer agreements can head off malpractice suits filed in response to an attorney's attempt to collect fees)

"Promises, Promises" by Jonathan B. Cole and Scott C. Pape, California Law Business, February 22, 2000 (When an attorney's predictions don't turn out as planned, can a disgruntled client sue for fraud?)

"Captain of the Ship" by Jonathan B. Cole and Julie A. Covell, California Law Business, March 20, 2000 (An attorney is required to obtain client authority before making a decision which will affect the client's "substantial" rights)

"Trailing Tracks" by Jonathan B. Cole and Cassandra Choi Nelson, California Law Business, April 17, 2000 (What or who constitutes "a former client" has expanded in this time of corporate growth and takeovers)

"Relief Pitcher" by Jonathan B. Cole and Karen K. Coffin, California Law Business, August 21, 2000 (What percentage of recovery does the contingent-fee attorney receive if he or she is dismissed from a case?)

"Tricky Trail" by Jonathan B. Cole and David B. Owen, California Law Business, September 18, 2000 (The termination of representation involves the adherence to a number of intricate ethical rules)

"Slamming the Door on Malpractice Claims in Criminal Matters" by Jonathan B. Cole, David B. Owen and Michael R. Newhouse, Los Angeles Lawyer, February 2002 (Plaintiffs must first obtain post conviction relief to maintain a lawsuit)